He opened the lecture with a reflective question, "So, what is the capital of a leader? If you want to be a useful leader, it's not about whether you're a good leader or not, because that's highly debatable." He emphasized that the primary measure of leadership is the extent to which a leader is able to have a real impact on their surroundings.

According to him, the first foundation of leadership is authenticity. "Leaders must be themselves, not someone else," he said. He explained that every individual has unique characteristics that become distinctive in their leadership style. By being authentic, a leader can build stronger trust in those they lead.

He also emphasized the importance of leading by example. He cited the smoking ban policy on trains during his tenure at PT KAI as an example of public safety. "Leaders must have good intentions and a good conscience when making policies," he said. For him, leadership is not just about instructions, but concrete actions that can be emulated.

Adaptability is also a crucial aspect of public leadership. Citing Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, Jonan stated, "It is not the strongest or the most intelligent that survive, but the most responsive to change." He emphasized that the dynamics of the times require leaders to continually adapt to remain relevant.

Furthermore, Jonan highlighted the difference between leaders who merely devise strategies and those who are able to execute them. "Many leaders can create strategies, but not all can execute them. That's the difference between them and those who just talk," he said. Execution, he argued, is the true indicator of leadership effectiveness.

He also emphasized that a leader's presence should enhance the quality of others. Quoting Sheryl Sandberg, Jonan said, "Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and ensuring that impact lasts in your absence." Good leadership isn't just felt while in office, but also leaves a long-term impact.

In the context of public service, Jonan emphasized the importance of community orientation. "If we focus on competitors, we're just reacting. But if we focus on consumers, we can be pioneers," he said. He also emphasized the importance of being open to criticism as a means of self-evaluation, as long as it doesn't violate applicable standards.

The topic of digital transformation also received attention. He believes that digitalization is not just a matter of technology, but rather a shift in organizational mindset. He cited the example of PT KAI, which took two years to transition from traditional patterns to a more modern system. "The first thing to change is the mindset, not the technology," he explained.

Closing his presentation, he reminded that leaders do not need to be trapped in past failures.You cannot go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending,” he said. He also emphasized the importance of direction over speed in change: “Change, but start slowly, because direction is more important than speed.”

He added that leadership must be inclusive and leave no one behind. "Leaders must not leave anyone behind. Everyone must move together," he said, likening a train journey that can only move if all components are connected.

Ultimately, he emphasized that no leader is perfect. However, an effective leader is one who is able to make the best contribution according to their leadership style and deliver tangible benefits to the organization and the wider community.

Reporter: Vito Egi Nandriansyah (Geophysical Engineering, 2021)